The Marathon Oscars!

After running Barcelona and Rome marathons last week, which were organised completely differently from each other, I decided to rate each marathon I've run out of 10 for different categories. It's kind of like the Marathon Oscars.

I invite comments below for you to rate your own marathons by the categories too and then, when I have quite a few marathons rated, I'll make a Marathon Oscar stand alone page. If you can think of any categories I have missed let me know and I'll add them to the post.

Remember these are my ratings. Maybe you ran Berlin last year when the start number pick up was supposed to be a nightmare? Or you don't agree with my low rating about Rome marathons course? Again rate your marathons in the comments section below.

My hope is that this will help other runners decide which marathons will be great to run and which they should avoid!

Welcome to The Marathon Oscars!!!

Registration

Copenhagen 9/10

Valencia 7/10

Madrid 9/10

Berlin 8/10

Barcelona 9/10

Rome 6/10

Expo

Copenhagen 6/10

Valencia 7/10

Madrid 7/10

Berlin 9/10

Barcelona 9/10

Rome 7/10

Race Number Pick Up

Copenhagen 8/10

Valencia 8/10

Madrid 7/10

Berlin 9/10

Barcelona 10/10

Rome 8/10

Start Line

Copenhagen 7/10

Valencia 8/10

Madrid 7/10

Berlin 7/10

Barcelona 10/10

Rome 5/10

Refreshment Stations

Copenhagen 7/10

Valencia 7/10

Madrid 9/10

Berlin 6/10

Barcelona 9/10

Rome 4/10

Toilets (Start Line)

Copenhagen 8/10

Valencia 7/10

Madrid 7/10

Berlin 8/10

Barcelona 8/10

Rome 7/10

Toilets (Around the Course)

Copenhagen 7/10

Valencia 0/10 (no toilets)

Madrid 7/10

Berlin (I never used them so will give the average point of 5/10 from the other marathons)

Barcelona 7/10

Rome 4/10

Course

Copenhagen 6/10

Valencia 7/10

Madrid 9/10

Berlin 8/10

Barcelona 7/10

Rome 4/10

Sights (based on how many of the city sights were part of the course)

Copenhagen 6/10

Valencia 9/10

Madrid 9/10

Berlin 8/10

Barcelona 9/10

Rome 7/10

Finish Line

Copenhagen 8/10

Valencia 10/10

Madrid 7/10

Berlin 10/10

Barcelona 8/10

Rome 5/10

Medal

Copenhagen 6/10

Valencia 6/10

Madrid 9/10

Berlin 8/10

Barcelona 9/10

Rome 10/10

Other Runners (considerate, friendly, etc.)

Copenhagen 8/10

Valencia 8/10

Madrid 8/10

Berlin 5/10

Barcelona 8/10

Rome 4/10

Spectators

Copenhagen 7/10

Valencia 8/10

Madrid 9/10

Berlin 10/10

Barcelona 9/10

Rome 4/10

Overall Marathon Oscar Champion Ratings:-

WINNER!!!

Barcelona 112/130 points

Madrid 104/130 points

Berlin 100/130 points

Copenhagen 93/130 points

Valencia 91/130 points

Rome 77/130 points

Adistar Boosts after Copenhagen Marathon Review!

On Sunday I ran Copenhagen Marathon in my Adidas Boosts! I admit I was very nervous about running a marathon in them as they sit very snug on the feet so I was thinking that I may lose more toenails than ever before.
The weather was rainy like in Edinburgh so I knew that I would get wet feet again...

As far as I am concerned the Adidas Boost trainers are THE BEST TRAINERS EVER! Why do I say this?

All 4 of my other marathons that I have run have two things in common:-
1: LOTS of blisters!
2: BIG loss of toenails!

I have been searching for some trainers that would help with the blister situation and would stop me losing toenails. I had already tried taping my toes, different socks, different trainers, trainers too big, vaseline, bodyglide stuff, vitamins, and any other remedies I could find on running sites. Nothing has made any difference :-(

But now I seem to have found the answer: Adistar Boosts!!

After the marathon I had one little blister on the side of my big toe and one little blister in between two toes. And that was it (other than having very wrinkled feet from the wetness). As of now, three days after the marathon, it looks like all my toenails will stay attached this time :-) If I don't lose a toenail then, as far as I'm concerned, these trainers are like GOLD to me! I'll keep you updated.

There also seems to definately be a return of energy when running in these shoes as my legs didn't seem very tired at all during the marathon and could have carried on going for ??? amount of kilometres more!

One last thing, the trainers are not very water resistant so when my Boosts are dead and I buy some more from kaisersport, I am going to spray them with a water resistant spray to help my feet stay maybe a little dryer :-)

Copenhagen Marathon - One Year Ago...!

First a big congratulations to everyone that finished Copenhagen Marathon 2012 in this heat!! I know how tough it is to run with the sun beaming down on you for such a long distance!

Copenhagen Marathon 2011

This time one year ago I had just completed my first ever marathon after only 10 months of training. I went from not running at all to running Copenhagen Marathon 2011 in 4 hours and 43 minutes. I was one of those rare people that crossed over the finish line saying 'I want to run another one!'

Valencia Marathon 2011

I just had to run another one soon and chose to run Valencia in November 2011. I was thinking of running Berlin or Venice but both of these had no more places and in the end Valencia turned out to be a great choice as it was there that my love of everything Spanish began!

Before I had even run in Valencia I was looking for another marathon for spring 2012. This was between Barcelona and Madrid. Barcelona because I'd already visited but still had some places I wanted to see and Madrid because the American Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series was organising it.

Madrid Marathon 2012

In the end I chose Madrid because of the Rock 'n' Roll theme which once again was a great choice of marathon. I loved the route and again loved all the spectators. Before I ran in Madrid I had signed up and got a place in Berlin marathon 2012. It's just over 4 months until Berlin marathon and I have already signed up for Gran Canaria 2013 and have a place in Copenhagen marathon 2013.

I can't seem to help myself and must have another marathon on the horizon while I'm running the one before :-)

I SIMPLY LOVE RUNNING MARATHONS :-)

It's Funny How Quickly Plans Can Change!

Maybe I could get a medal like this :-)

I was just re-reading my old blog post from 2nd December 2011 50 marathons, 50 cities, before I'm 50 and looking at my planned marathons from that time. This is how they looked 6 months ago:-

May 2011 - Copenhagen Marathon
Nov 2011 - Valencia Marathon
Spring 2012 - Madrid or Barcelona Marathon
Autumn 2012 - Berlin Marathon
Spring 2013 - Barcelona or Madrid Marathon
Autumn 2013 - Nice-Cannes Marathon
Spring 2014 - Seville Marathon
Autumn 2014 - Venice Marathon

This is how they look right now:-

May 2011 - Copenhagen Marathon (04:43:33)

Nov 2011 - Valencia Marathon (04:31:55)

April 2012 - Madrid Marathon (04:35:41)

Sept 2012 - Berlin Marathon (signed up)

Oct 2012 - South Coast Marathon Denmark

Jan 2013 - Gran Canaria Marathon (signed up)

March 2013 - Rome or Barcelona Marathon

April 2013 - London Marathon (if I get a lottery place)

May 2013 - Copenhagen Marathon (free entry. signed up)

Aug 2013 - Brisbane Marathon 

Allowing for an autumn marathon as well, (and getting a place in London) I will have run 11 marathons by the end of 2013! Taking out Copenhagen which I will have run twice, I will then have 10 marathons in 10 different places towards my 50 marathons goal. 

When I made the goal it seemed like I would maybe just about make it before 50. At the rate I'm going I'll have it done by 40!!

Free Entry to Copenhagen Marathon!

I have just received an email where it says 'Tillykke – du har vundet en fribillet til Nykredit Copenhagen Marathon'
(congratulations - you have won a free ticket to Nykredit Copenhagen Marathon)

This is just so cool!!

Unfortunately, because I'm having a mole removed from under my nose on Thursday, I can't exercise for at least 2 weeks. This, of course, means that I CAN'T RUN!! The marathon is this Sunday!

No problem! The people at Sparta (Copenhagen Marathon organisers) said that I can transfer it to next year!!

This is great :-)

At this rate I'll be running one marathon every month next year. If I actually get a place in London marathon then I'll have a marathon in January, March, April, and May 2013. All in different countries :-)

I never normally win anything but seem to be winning lots and lots of great stuff this year! Maybe I should start playing the lottery.....

50 Marathons, 50 Cities, Before I'm 50

I shared a dream of mine with a Spanish guy that I ran some of Valencia Marathon with.

That dream is to run 50 marathons in 50 different european cities before I'm 50!!

These are my marathon ideas (not set in stone) for the next few years:-

May 2011 - Copenhagen Marathon
Nov 2011 - Valencia Marathon
Spring 2012 - Madrid or Barcelona Marathon
Autumn 2012 - Berlin Marathon
Spring 2013 - Barcelona or Madrid Marathon
Autumn 2013 - Nice-Cannes Marathon
Spring 2014 - Seville Marathon
Autumn 2014 - Venice Marathon

From 2013 I will probably begin to run three marathons a year!! There are so many others I want to do such as Milan, Lisbon, Budapest, Florence, Hamburg, Rome.........

I'm not sure if I can be called a beginner anymore. Maybe I should change the title of my blog to the title of this post??

Berlin Marathon 2012!!

Ok, so now I know I really am a little mad in the head!

I haven't even run Valencia Marathon yet and I have just signed up to run Berlin Marathon 2012!!

I think Berlin is one of those marathons that just has to be tried :-)

So this blog will still stay alive after Valencia!!

I don't think I can call myself a beginner anymore but I hope this blog can still help others with their first marathon :-)

See you in Berlin Paul from http://50-is-the-new-30.blogspot.com/

Still Feeling the Effects of Copenhagen Marathon!

This Photo is for Paul :-)

I've just lost my big toe nail :-(
Doesn't it look disgusting?!?

It has been wanting to come off for months but has keep on hanging in there. A couple of days ago I bent down and heard it rip! I taped it up hoping it would stay on but after todays shower off it came! I've lost 3 toenails now but I think because I wait for them to fall off in their own time they never hurt :-)

Oh well....the good news is that at this rate I won't lose any toenails after Valencia Marathon simply because I won't have any left to lose.....

Another Copenhagen Marathon Photo of Me!

I just found this photo of me on the Internet. It was a couple of minutes after I had crossed the finish line of Copenhagen Marathon 2011 :-)

My Copenhagen Marathon Recovery Week!

This last week I have been recovering from the marathon. All in all I haven't felt too bad and most aches and pains went over quite quickly.

After the race on Sunday I was on a high and was so happy :-) I thought when I crossed the line I would say 'never again' because that is what I read most people say. I instead said ' YES! Where and when is my next marathon!'
I slept very well on Sunday night :-)

On Monday my calves were hurting very much. I massaged them with some muscle cream and this helped very much. I found that as long as I didn't sit down for long periods of time then I was ok. I didn't work today and didn't go up or down any stairs.
I have some blisters but nothing that hurts. My second toe on my right foot will probably lose it's nail but I was already prepared for this as it got a bit squashed when I was wearing my Nikes. My Asics give me no such problems.

On Tuesday my calves, thighs and arm muscles were hurting. I did the muscle massage with cream again. I walked very slow and strange and had big problems going up and especially coming down stairs.

On Wednesday the aches were pretty much gone and as long as I didn't walk too much there was no problems. It still hurt to go downstairs.

On Thursday it was the same as Wednesday.

On Friday I was fully recovered and longing to go out for a run but as my husband is away and I've been working or looking after my boys I haven't been able to get out for a one. My husband is back Sunday evening so hopefully I can get out for a run then :-)

By the way, my toenail is still hanging on and might survive if I'm lucky :-)

I am going to carry on blogging and find a way that I can attach this blog onto my new one if it's possible. My new blog will be about my second marathon and my education for becoming a running coach!

I have decided to become a running coach to turn my hobby into a business, so I can be my own boss which is something I have always dreamt of, and also to help my own children and, maybe others, enjoy running as much as I do :-)

My Experience of Copenhagen Marathon!!

I finished Copenhagen Marathon in 4 hours, 43 minutes and 33 seconds!!!

First I want to say that I had a fantastic first marathon!! I enjoyed it very much and would gladly repeat the experience again :-)

I arrived at the start area at 8.50am on the morning of Sunday 22nd May 2011. The atmosphere was already charged with nervous energy.

After a quick trip to a friends home to borrow the toilet, (the queues for the ones in the start area were REALLY long), I found the 4:30 pacesetters and lined up with them.

The weather seemed to be a bit of everything. There was sun, rain, clouds and wind but it was actually quite pleasant to run in :-)

At 9.30am the first runners set off on their marathon. I, on the other hand, still had a 15 minute wait to pass the start line. As usual the pacesetters went off way to fast so I decided to ignore them and run my own pace of around 6:20.

When I reached Rådhuspladsen (the town hall) at 2k Lena from Running Copenhagen Sightseeing Tours was there to cheer me on with some others and also the Running Copenhagen car. I was running in one of their BRIGHT orange T-shirts so it was easy to spot me :-)

I then headed off towards Nørreport and Østerport train stations and then on into Østerbro itself. After this I was running in Nørrebro where there were some fantastic people cheering us all on :-)

Then it was back into the city and up towards Enghave. Around 12 it started raining but didn't last long so it just cooled me down a bit. I did have to take my name off my top though as the ink had started to run and was going everywhere.

Once at Enghave I had run 20k and was still going strong and trying to keep my pace somewhere around 6:30.

At the drinking stations I was either having one energy gel with some water and one energy drink, or just having an energy drink. I took a lot of my gels in the first part of the race because I knew it was important to take them before you get into trouble.

At 23k we started doing my favourite bit of the course which I have trained alot. This was from Fisketorvet, through Nyhavn and all the way along the water front to Kastellet.

At Amelienborg Slot, which was 26.5k into the marathon, my wonderful husband and my two boys were waiting for me :-)
My husband said I looked so fresh compared to many other runners that had come past them!
I then gave them all a kiss and carried on my way!

After the 28k point I found I had to concentrate more on my running and breathing. I decided to use a strategy that I had read about in my training book.

This I started to use at 30k. I told myself that I was now starting a 10k race! I knew if I could get to 40k where my 8 year old son was waiting to 'run me in' then I would finish no problem. So the next two water stops were at ca. 3.6k and 8.2k in my mind and my son was at the finish line that just happened to say 40k on it :-)

This worked SO well and I am in no doubt that using this idea made the final 12k so much easier for me.

At 40k my son joined me and we had a gentle run up to just past the 42k mark. Here a VERY mean official told me that my son wasn't allowed to cross the line with me even though it was only 100 metres away! Not impressed!!

Anyway my son stood over by the side and, because I wanted to get back to him as quick as I could, I sprinted the last 100 metres as fast as I possibly could :-)
I must have looked very strange!
I got my medal, went back to my son and we spent the next half hour eating and drinking.

What happens now this project is finished? I'm, of course, already deciding which marathon to run next!!!

3 Days Before Marathon Weather

Same old story with the weather!

Only One More Week until Copenhagen Marathon!

What am I feeling now?

EXCITED
SCARED
HAPPY
NERVOUS
WORRIED
ANXIOUS
COURAGEOUS
FANTASTIC

If you have any other emotions let me know. It could get interesting :-)

Today I ran nearly 11k and as there was a cold wind I put on my winter stuff. I was SO hot!!

I'm oviously just running the marathon in shorts and a T-Shirt.

This time next week it will all be over.....

That's Another 17.5k Towards Copenhagen Marathon!

I went out for a 15k run this morning. The weather was beautiful :-) Not too hot but not too cold. It was still a little windy but not as bad as it has been!

I ran from Amager over Langebro, through Christiansborg Slot, into Nyhavn and then all the way along the water up to The Little Mermaid again. I was there at 9.15am and it looked like a cruise ship had just arrived as there were tourists everywhere!

I then ran back towards the city and past my favourite fountain in Copenhagen which is in the photos below.

I then ran past the queens palaces, back past Nyhavn, across Kongens Nytorv and all the way down the walking street to Rådhuspladsen. From there I ran to Islands Brygge and home again.

In all I ran a little over 17.5k which was over 2.5k over my target so I'm very happy with that.

This time in 2 weeks I'll be running Copenhagen Marathon 2011 :-)

A Nice 10k Run

I had a really good run yesterday evening :-)

It was only 10k but it was really nice to just run along listening to music!

I stayed in villa areas as much as possible because it is getting windy over here again.

The wind is what I dread most for the weather on marathon day :-(
I would prefer it to rain than to have to run in the horrible danish wind!

17 days to go...

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My Last Long Pre-Marathon Run

On Sunday I had my last long pre-marathon run!

It was a little over a half marathon and was the easiest run I have ever had!

I ran with Jeppe my friend Lisa's husband. It was really good to have company and made the running much less hard. He was happy to run at my slow pace because he hasn't done much training over the last few weeks. Jeppe is also running Copenhagen Marathon for the first time.

We ran from his apartment into the city, through Nyhavn, up to the little mermaid, back through the main shopping area, along the water front opposite Islands Brygge and then the last stretch home.

Our average pace was 6.19 per km which suited me perfectly as I'm going to try for a 6.24 marathon pace which then would give me a finish time of four and a half hours :-)

We stopped every 5k for a drink and an energy gel which seems to work for me and is how I intend to run my marathon.

I woke up the next day minus my usual muscle pains. I had no blisters. I actually felt like I could of carried on running for longer. This has made me believe that, yes, I really can finish that marathon!

Only 19 days to go until the Big Day :-)

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Radio Interview about Running Copenhagen Marathon for Help for Heroes

http://www.bmycharity.com/copenhagenmarathon2011

I have been contacted by a man from the British Forces Broadcasting Service asking if I will do an interview on the radio. He wants me to do this because I am raising money for Help for Heroes while running Copenhagen Marathon

It's on Monday 2nd May at 9.30 am British time. If you want to listen along then please visit www.bfbs.com/radio

If you want to help me support Help for Heroes then please visit http://www.bmycharity.com/copenhagenmarathon2011

I'll do a full write up afterwards.

I admit I'm a little nervous......

Nike Marathontest 3

And so today I ran the last of the Nike marathontests. This was a half marathon.

Copenhagen Lakes

I had forgotten to buy energy gels so only had one to take with me :-(
I had an energy drink before I left home which perked me up a bit
It was cloudy and a little windy while we were waiting to go and then the sun come out and I knew I was going to have a great race :-)

I wasn't really aiming for a time to finish in. I just wanted to be done before 2 hours and 15 minutes.

The run started off great and there were a lot of  drinking stations which had water and Powerade Energy drink. I, of course, had the energy drinks :-)

The course was really good as it went round the lakes. These are beautiful to run around especially with the sun shining and swans swimming on them.

I started having trouble around the 16k mark and then just concentrated on running from drinking station to drinking station. This worked well as the kilometers started flying past!

When I turned the last corner and saw the goal in sight I 'opened up the throttle' and sprinted over the line!!

My official time was 2 hours and 13 minutes. My watch said I'd run an extra 1k over the half marathon distance and that my half marathon time was 2 hours and 8 minutes so that's the one I'll go by :-)

All in all a great race. Bring on Copenhagen Marathon!!

Copenhagen Marathon Route, Accommodation, and Other Information

As we are only 97 days away from Copenhagen Marathon 2011 I thought it was time to update my blog with some of the details about the day :-)

Copenhagen Marathon 2011 Route and Water Deposits

Copenhagen Accommodation (best to book as far in advance as possible)

DANHOSTEL COPENHAGEN CITY

- Stay in walking distance to start and finish. As a guest at the DANHOSTEL Copenhagen City you have access to your room after the run to have a shower and you can leave your luggage during the run.

www.danhostelcopenhagen.com

CABINN

- Cabinn offers good, cheap accommodations and have a selection of four hotels in the Copenhagen Area. If you are participating in Nykredit Copenhagen Marathon, you can book your room at a special discount price. To get the discounted price you will be required to present your race number and the code 2509
http://www.cabinn.com/

DGI-BYEN HOTELS

- “Sleep in quiet surroundings and wake up well rested for the challenge of your life. When you stay at one of DGI-Byens hotels you can walk back to your room to have a shower and rest until 17:00. Or you can recover your legs in the Swim Center spa or in the steam bath and sauna
www.dgi-byen.dk/hotel

SCANDIC

 NYKREDIT COPENHAGEN MARATHON OFFICIAL HOTEL PARTNER

- Scandic is the official hotel partner and offers a range of hotels in the city center close to the starting area.
“Scandic is a modern hotel chain where conscious people come for inspiration and renewed energy. With around 150 hotels and 30,000 rooms, we are already one of the largest hotel companies in Europe. And Scandic are continuing to grow – within a few years, there will be over 200 Scandics to choose from."
www.scandichotels.com/copenhagen

Start & Finish

Nykredit Copenhagen Marathon is once again using the area just by Langebro at Islands Brygge as both start and finish area.

The area along the water front allows Nykredit Copenhagen Marathon to accomodate larger groups of runners and spectators better giving the race a great start when the runners cross Langebro and continue into the city center.

Nykredit Copenhagen Marathon gives you:

- Three days of Sports Expo before the run

- Timing recorded through a chip

- A traffic-free 42,195 km course for marathon runners only

- Pace setters to ensure a steady pace throughout the run

- Hydration stations every 4,5 km offering water and energy drink. Four stations will also serve fresh fruits

- Medical Aid Stations and toilets positioned along the route

- Music and other entertainment along the route

- Photos will be taken by photographers from Marathon Photos, who will be stationed throughout the course

- Showers will be available at the finish area

- A plastic blanket, hot chocolate, rolls, yoghurt and fresh fruits in the finish area

- A medal and a Nykredit Copenhagen Marathon t-shirt – to show you were there!

For more information, to read about the Sports Expo, and to sign up for Copenhagen Marathon 2011 please visit:-

http://www.copenhagenmarathon.dk/
www.copenhagenmarathon.dk/en/participant-info/online-registration/



20km Run Today in Minus 2 degrees!

See my run at http://go.nike.com/1f6pe0g

Right now I'm wondering if I should run the Polar Marathon instead of Copenhagen?
I'm certainly training very much in snow, ice and minus degrees!

I'm only joking :-) I think the Polar Marathon would kill me as I really hate the cold!

Anyway, today I ran a great 20km run! The sun was shining which always puts me into a good mood :-)

I ran from my home, through the Amagerfælled and over the bridge by Islands Brygge. From there I ran up to Rådhuspladsen (the town hall square), and all the way from one end of Strøget (the walking street) to the other :-)

That was a lot of fun as it was full of tourists so I had to weave in and out of them. They were looking at me like I was some crazy person (I am a little but that's another story)!

From there I ran up to the queens palace Amalienborg Slot and smiled to the soldiers :-). Then up to the English church and my favourite water fountain called Gefion Fountain. It's turned off in the winter but is so beautiful to see on a summers evening!

From there I ran along the waterfront back towards the city centre and ran through Nyhavn. This is another beautiful area well worth a visit at anytime of the year but again especially worth seeing on a summers evening!

 I then went along the waterfront and under the first bridge, past the Black Diamond (Royal Library) , under Islands Brygge bridge, all the way up to Fisketørvet, then onto the main road up to Sydhavn, and then down Vejlands Alle and home.

All in all it was a great run!